Pardubice will prepare a tender for the repair of the Červeňák bridge, which will preserve its appearance

Pardubice - Pardubice will prepare a tender for the general renovation of the Červeňák bridge in the same natural area by September. The reconstruction should maintain its current appearance to the greatest extent possible. This was decided today by the city councilors. The pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the Chrudimka has been closed since 2018 due to its deteriorating condition.

The councilors met today for a private presentation of the proposal, and the public discussion lasted 20 minutes. Discussions on similar topics are usually longer.

"Finally, after many years, we will clearly set the direction on how to restore the operation of the bridge. We will not take the path of restoration; we will not rivet it all again. We will preserve the visual appearance of the bridge and the character of the area, which has the same name as the bridge," said Deputy Mayor Jan Hrabal (ANO).

Proposer Hrabal committed to preparing the tender by the September city council meeting. If it is not ready, he will request a postponement. "I am glad that the bridge does not need to be demolished and that as much as possible will be preserved in its current form," said bridge supporter councilor Filip Sedlák (Naše Pardubice).

The old riveted bridge, some parts of which date back to the 19th century, spans the Chrudimka. The bridge was first located in the city, where it became inadequate, and since 1937 it has been in its current spot, where it was used by a railway regiment in its training ground.

Previous assessments informed the city that the bridge could barely support its own weight. The city leadership was skeptical about whether it made sense to repair it. Activists advocated for the bridge's preservation and even requested the Ministry of Culture to declare it a cultural monument.

The city now has technical proposals for how to repair the bridge. The first, costing just under 26 million crowns excluding VAT, would preserve the current appearance of the bridge with an iron riveted arch. The second option is to demolish the statically compromised central section and replace it with a footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists for just under 18 million crowns excluding VAT. The councilors chose the first option.